Excel vs Google Sheets Comparison

Introduction

Today, companies must manage increasingly large volumes of data. To do this, two tools stand out: Excel and Google Sheets . These two spreadsheets dominate the market for data management solutions, but they are not always suitable for the same needs.

👉 “Which is the best spreadsheet for your business needs? Excel or Google Sheets? Learn the benefits of each solution and make the right choice for your business.

In this article, we will compare the two solutions in terms of features, examples of uses, and integration with other professional tools. The goal: to help you make the right choice according to your needs, whether you are an industry professional or an occasional user.

Comparison between Excel and Google Sheets

📊 Data management capacity

Excel can handle millions of rows, up to 1 million per sheet, making it suitable for large databases. Google Sheets is limited to 10 million cells per sheet.

🔄 Real-time collaboration

Google Sheets makes online collaboration easy with its native integration with Google Drive. Users can edit a document simultaneously in real-time. Excel also offers online collaboration through OneDrive or SharePoint, but this requires some initial setup.

⚙️ Automation

Excel uses VBA and Power Query to automate complex processes, while Google Sheets offers Apps Script and third-party extensions to customize automations.

Also, both tools allow you to automate tasks through platforms like Power Automate and Zapier .

📈 Charts and Pivot Tables

Excel offers very advanced customization possibilities for charts and pivot tables, tailored to the specific needs of businesses. Google Sheets offers simpler and faster options to configure.

🔗 Integration with other tools

Both solutions integrate well with almost every known tool on the market. Both Excel and Google Sheets integrate with Business Intelligence (BI) solutions like Power BI and Looker Studio (formerly Google Data Studio). These integrations allow users to create interactive dashboards and visualize real-time data from their spreadsheets.

In the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) field, Excel is often used with systems such as SAP and Oracle. However, Google Sheets can also be connected to ERPs via platforms such as Zapier or cloud connectors, allowing real-time data synchronization and improved business process management.

For project management, Excel integrates with Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, providing centralized document management and better collaboration between teams. Google Sheets, meanwhile, can be connected to tools like Trello, Slack, and Asana, making it easier to manage tasks and communicate between team members.

In terms of workflow automation, Excel connects to Power Automate to automate repetitive processes and connect data to other Microsoft or third-party applications. Google Sheets, on the other hand, connects to other apps via Zapier, IFTTT, Google Apps Script, and Power Automate, allowing you to set up custom workflows and automate tasks without requiring advanced coding skills.

💰 Cost

Excel is included in the Microsoft 365 subscription , which is paid. Google Sheets is free with a Google account, but paid options are available through Google Workspace .

🧩 Getting started

Both solutions are simple and intuitive for users. Google Sheets, with its fully cloud-based operation, makes it easy for users to set up and access. Excel, on the other hand, has advanced features that require more learning to fully master.

🤖 Interaction with AI

Excel offers integration with Microsoft Copilot , an advanced AI that helps automate tasks and generate complex formulas, and can also integrate third-party scripts like Numerous AI . Google Sheets offers similar solutions through third-party extensions like ChatGPT for Sheets , allowing users to get assistance directly within the spreadsheet.

Summary Table